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Kecskemet History, Hungary

Located at the central part of Hungary, Kecskemet is precisely halfway between the city of Szeged and Budapest, the country’s capital. Kecskemet is the 8th biggest city in the country and the capital of Bacs-Kiskun County. The city is regarded as one of the most fascinating examples of progress amongst in Hungary. Kecskemet History may be tracked as follows.

Kecskemet History – Pre-History

The area where Kecskemet is found is believed to have already been inhabited five thousand years ago. Even before the Sarmatians attacked and occupied the area, there were already people living there. According to the first author of Kecskemet’s history, a community named Partiskum was found where the town is presently located.

Kecskemet History – Medieval Era

At the dawn of the 13th century, a total of seven villages were found in the town surrounding the churches. During that time, Kecskemet had between 200 to 300 citizens. However, during the Mongol Invasion, the town was ruined and was only restored during the colonization of the Cumanians.

Soon after the town’s restoration, Kecskemet grew to be an important marketplace and a customhouse. The town became a significant trading route leaving behind the nearby towns in terms of development. Soon after, Kecskemet’s economy soared, its population grew, and trading with other towns and cities persisted.

Kecskemet History – Ottoman Invasion

When Hungary was invaded by the Turks, residents from the towns near Kecskemet fled from battles and from cruelty of the Spahi landlords. They went to towns under the palisades. Citizens of Kecskemet, on the other hand, did not have to go through these inconveniences. Apart from the natural surrounding protecting the town, Kecskemet also enjoyed an exclusive privilege coming from Buda. It protected the town from the invaders in replacement of the tax the latter paid. Kecskemet slowly fused the abandoned territories nearby and began breeding animals in these grounds.

Kecskemet History – Agricultural Economic Difficulties

During the early years of the 18th century, a total of around 30,000 domestic animals grazed an approximate of 2,000 square kilometer land. By the end of the 1700s, the town experienced the deterioration of animal breeding. Besides this agricultural problem, Kecskemet was also hit by the vine-pest destroying nearly all the vineyards in Hungary.

As a solution to the vineyard problems, Kecskemet established big vine estates in 1870. These plantations became the foundation of the agricultural development of the town at the start of the 20th century.

Kecskemet History – 20th Century

With the growth of the vine estates in Kecskemet, food industry and trade once again became alive. The development of the town soared and a new main square was constructed. Kecskemet also saw the building of many beautiful manors and the New Town Hall. The progress of the town suddenly ended when the world faced an economic crisis between 1929 and 1933 and World War II.

Kecskemet History felt a new evolution when it became the capital of Hungary’s biggest county, Bacs-Kiskun, in 1950. With this, the town gained economic and political improvements. For more information about the European continent, Brno Travel Guide is a good start.

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